Ancient Tyre was one of the most important and prosperous cities in the ancient Middle East. It was located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, about 23 kilometers north of Ras al-Naqura and 20 kilometers south of Sidon, in modern-day Lebanon.
Tyre was founded in 2700 BC, and it was one of the first cities to be established on the Mediterranean coast. The city was founded by the Phoenicians, who were renowned for their seafaring and trade. Tyre quickly became an important trading center, and it controlled the maritime trade routes between the East and the West.
Tyre was a wealthy and magnificent city. It was surrounded by thick walls, and it had palaces, temples, and public buildings of great splendor. Tyre was also an important cultural center, and it was known for its art, architecture, and literature.
Tyre was an independent city, and it fought many wars with its neighbors. The city was destroyed twice by the Babylonians, in 573 BC and 539 BC. After that, Tyre was conquered by the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines.
Tyre survived all of the conquests, and it continued to be an important city even in the Middle Ages. The city was a center of Christianity, and it was the home of several Christian patriarchs.
Ancient Tyre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has many remains from different periods, including ancient walls, temples, palaces, churches, and mosques.
Here are some of the important sites in ancient Tyre: